ZOOM SOCIAL HOUR - FRIDAY, DEC 18, 2020 • 1:30PM

All invited. Contact Sue at SueHartenbaum@gmail.com for Zoom Link

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING - FRIDAY, JAN 8, 2021 • 1:30PM

Contact Sue at SueHartenbaum@gmail.com for Zoom Link

RAMA’S LITTLE SHACK IN THE KIBBUTZ - BY DAPHNA ZIPKIN

This is a story of a woman and a forest, of Hadassah and of the Jewish National Fund.

In Kibbutz Mishmar Ha’Emek, in the Jezreel Valley, there is a little one-room hut, built in 1933, still standing among the trees near the social club-house, which once housed one special woman.  Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1886, Irma (later named Rama in Hebrew) Levy Lindheim came to Palestine in the early days of the 20th century and became an activist for various Jewish organizations.  She caught the eye of Henrietta Szold, and soon joined Hadassah, later serving as the 3rd president of Hadassah 1926-1928.  She came to Mishmar Ha’Emek in 1933 and lived in a little one room hut, like any other kibbutz member.  As the kibbutz grew and built permanent buildings, she stayed in that hut, and, while continuing her civic activities, remained a member of the kibbutz until her death in 1978.

In 2000, the shack was in disrepair and its future uncertain.  Hadassah came to the rescue, and donated the funds to restore the hut and move it to its current location, and to this day the kibbutz maintains it in top condition as a memorial to Irma (Rama) Lindheim.  If you visit Mishmar Ha’Emek, be sure to go see Rama’s Hut.

Where does the JNF come into this story?  As you can see from the pictures, Mishmar Ha’Emek was settled on its current location, in 1926, on land that was totally barren, full of rocks.  Hashomer Ha’Tzair movement donated money to the JNF so that the JNF could invest it in Mishmar Ha’Emek, then struggling to eke out a living.  The funds were used not only to feed the young pioneers, but also to create a nursery.  From those first shoots, the kibbutz planted the first grove of what later became the JNF “Hashomer Ha’Tzair” forest now surrounding Mishmar Ha’Emek. 

Today, Mishmar Ha’Emek is a thriving, successful communal kibbutz.  People who visit the kibbutz are amazed by its beauty and lush surroundings.  The most asked question by new visitors is, “how did you find such a beautiful place on which to settle?”  But now you know the true story.

Photos below show Henrietta Szold, as well as the first huts built on the kibbutz, and then followed with permanent buildings. The last photo in color shows the kibbutz as it is now.

 Irma Rama Lindheim; Henrietta Szold, photo by Irma Lindheim; Mishmar Ha’Emek 1926

Mishmar Ha’Emek 1933 (across the Jezreel Valley from Nazareth); Mishmar Ha’Emek 1933; Irma (Rama) Lindheim at her shack 1940

Irma’s Shack restored, painted, and moved to its new location 2002; Lindheim Family Memorial at the kibbutz cemetery; JNF “Hashomer Hatzair” Forest surrounding Mishmar Ha’Emek

 Mishmar Ha’Emek 2019, Photo by Mati Halili

PLANTING TREES IN ISRAEL -  HADASSAH'S PARTNERSHIP WITH JNF

Since 1926, Hadassah has worked with the Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) and Keren Kayemeth L’Yisrael (KKL) to plant trees and beautify the land of Israel. Together we serve Israeli communities by making parks accessible, creating bike paths, and bringing water to the desert.

Hadassah's newest initiative, in partnership with Jewish National Fund (JNF-KKL), is the Hadassah Shade Tree Garden at the Eshkol Resilience Center. Your donation today will support Hadassah’s and JNF’s partnership in creating a garden for patients and their families at the Eshkol Resilience Center, located in Southern Israel, where thousands of Israelis are treated annually for PTSD.
All donors who contribute to this initiative will receive the Hadassah Shade Tree Garden Certificate, exclusively designed for Hadassah. This elegant certificate is a thoughtful way to honor or memorialize someone special in your life. JNF certificates are one of the most meaningful and convenient ways to celebrate a milestone or life cycle event
To order trees please email Dina at dinasku@yahoo.com or order online by clicking here.